CHRISTOPHER MAKOS INKJET PRINT

Treatment completed March 2023
Photographer ········· Christopher Makos
Title ········· Andy Warhol with Model
Year ······ c.1987 (2006 printing)
Medium ········· Inkjet Print
Dimensions (H x W): 7 ½” x 11”
Owner ······· Haverford College

Description

The photograph is an inkjet print on thick, porous coated, white, fiber-based paper. The image is comprised of small cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink dots on paper (Fig. 1 and 2). The image depicts Andy Warhol in the studio with Debbie Harry of Blondie. There are various inscriptions and stamps on both the recto and verso of the print. On the recto the edition number 12/20 is marked on the bottom left corner and artist signature on bottom right corner, both in graphite. On the verso, on the top left corner in graphite reads “812B-R Makos, Christopher “[Andy Warhol and Models]” HC08-0373” and center left edge “812 DR / Box 1 / HC08-0373”. There is a stamp with magenta ink on the bottom left corner that reads “WARHOL / MAKOS IN CONTEXT LIMITED EDITION, with “12/20” marked in graphite above the stamp and “2006” below the stamp. On the bottom right corner, there is another stamp in magenta that reads “PHOTOGRAPH CHRISTOPHER MAKOS” and “80” written to the right in graphite.

Condition Assessment

The most significant condition issue is the clear plastic photo corner adhered with pressure-sensitive adhesive to the upper left edge of the print. There is a moderate amount of image material and other accretions adhered to the adhesive on the underside of the photo corner (Fig. 3) The photo corner extends about half an inch off the edge of the print (Fig. 4).

Otherwise the print is in great condition. There is minor dust across the surface of the print. The print is flat with no staining or dye bleed. The verso is also in great condition with only scattered accretions.

Treatment Report

  1. Lightly surface cleaned the recto and verso of the print using an air blower or soft brush.
  2. Removed the photo corner from the surface of the print using hot air pencil and mechanical action. 
  3. Removed pressure-sensitive adhesive residues from the photo corner, to the extent possible, using an appropriate eraser, mechanical action, and appropriate solvents. 
  4. Inpainted areas of image loss using watercolors applied over a 2% gelatin solution isolating layer.
  5. Secured the print into the window mat with new photo corners made from paper that has passed the Photographic Activity Test (PAT).


Before Treatment Photography



During Treatment Photography


After Treatment Photography



References

Burge, Daniel. 2014. IPI Guide to Preservation of Digitally-Printed Photographs. Image Permanence Institute. Rochester, NY: Rochester Institute of Technology. http://www.dp3project.org/webfm_send/739

Makos, Christopher. n.d. M A K O S. https://www.makostudio.com/




ASHLEY L. STANFORD

Recent graduate from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC), class of 2024, specializing in the conservation of photographic materials. Porfolio of graduate school projects.   MORE INFO